What is Learn to Play?

Learning to play hockey is more than just learning a game. More than skating, passing and stick-handling, hockey is about responsibility, respect and teamwork. As children learn the skills needed to succeed on the ice, they also build and solidify important character traits needed to succeed off the ice. With that in mind, the Learn to Play initiative was developed jointly by the National Hockey League and the National Hockey League Players’ Association to offer more families a chance to experience everything that makes youth hockey so rewarding.

Developed with the help of experts from USA Hockey and Hockey Canada, the Learn to Play initiative aims to be the gold standard for youth hockey programs with the goal of inspiring more families to join the hockey community. Learn to Play changes the way youth hockey is offered by providing first time participants, free head-to-toe equipment, weekly sessions of age appropriate on-ice instruction and certified coaching, led by National Hockey League Alumni, in a fun and safe atmosphere. Learn to Play on-ice instruction plans have been developed in collaboration with experts from USA Hockey and Hockey Canada and taught by certified instructors and led by National Hockey League Alumni.

Program Fees

The program provides FREE head-to-toe equipment for your child to keep as they continue exploring youth hockey. However, there is a participation fee associated with the program which offsets ice and coaching expenses. The participation fee may vary by facility and market.

Additional Program Information

This program is designed for first-time players only.

If your child does not know how to skate, we highly recommend you sign up for a "Learn to Skate" class at a local rink. Most of the participating rinks have these programs.

Participants must register online. Phone and/or in-person registration at individual rinks will NOT be accepted.

If your preferred locations are sold out before you register, please complete the waiting list form. If an opening becomes available, you may be contacted.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Learn to Play program?

The National Hockey League and the National Hockey League Players’ Association have identified the need for a unified growth strategy as a priority for the sport of hockey. As a result, the Learn to Play Initiative (LTP), a joint (NHLPA/NHL) grassroots hockey initiative was created to offer more families an opportunity to see what makes youth hockey great. For potential first time participants to the sport, this program changes the way hockey is offered to inspire new families to join the hockey community and provide an age-appropriate program based on the latest child development research.

With certified coaches, led by NHL Alumni, the on-ice program will provide a fun and safe atmosphere for learning the basic skills of ice hockey.

Who is eligible to register for the Learn to Play Hockey program?

The program is offered to new, first-time participants (boys and girls). First-time participants are those participants who have not previously been registered to a USA Hockey or Hockey Canada sanctioned minor hockey program.

Does my child need to know how to skate before they sign up for the Learn to Play Hockey program?

It is recommended for a child who has no prior ice skating experience to enroll in a “learn to skate” program, but not required. Most rinks also have regular ice skating sessions which are open to the public and a great way to gain experience and confidence on the ice.

Where will the Learn to Play Hockey be offered?

A list of locations offering Learn to Play in your area can be found on this page.

How much do the Learn to Play Hockey sessions cost?

The program provides FREE head-to-toe equipment, however, there is a participation fee associated with the program which offsets ice and coaching expenses. The participation fee may vary by facility.

What do these costs include/cover?

These costs cover ice time and other associated fees.

What equipment is included/required for the Learn to Play program?

Upon being accepted into the Learn to Play program, each participant will receive FREE head-to-toe equipment. The equipment package includes; a helmet with cage, shoulder pads, elbow pads, hockey pants, shin guards, hockey skates, a hockey stick, jersey, socks and an equipment bag. We also recommend a mouth guard and athletic supporter for all participants. All equipment is required to be worn during each on-ice session. Participants may keep the equipment upon graduating from the Learn to Play program.

Can I register my child for multiple years?

Unfortunately not. The LTP program is offered to only new, first-time participants. Host facilities/organizations will provide participants with direction on transitional, next-step programming available in your market.

What is USA Hockey (USAH) / Hockey Canada (HC)?

The National Governing Bodies for youth hockey in the United States and Canada, respectively.

Does the National Governing Body membership expire?

Yes, the membership is valid for the current youth hockey season. Upon enrolling in your next hockey program beyond the current playing season, standard fees will apply.

Why does my child have to be registered with the National Governing Body?

The Governing Body provides a number of resources for the Learn to Play program, including; age-appropriate training modules and practice plans, coaching certification, background screening and insurance for all Learn to Play participants.

What is the Governing Body fee for the Learn to Play program?

Registration with the Governing Bodies is included for the Learn to Play program. Should you elect to enroll in a future hockey program upon graduating from the Learn to Play Program, standard Governing Body fees will apply.

What time should I arrive at the arena?

You should arrive a minimum of 60 minutes prior to start time for your first on-ice session to provide enough time for your child to check-in and get dressed before taking to the ice.

I want to register my child for the Learn to Play Hockey program, but it is sold out, is there a waiting list?

Yes. In the event that the session that you are attempting to register for is sold out, you will automatically be added to a waiting list and contacted should a spot become available.

How will I know if my child has been accepted into a Learn to Play Hockey session from the waiting list?

If you have been moved off the waiting list and have been placed into a Learn to Play Hockey session, you will be contacted via email by a NHL Club/program representative. In the event that no spots become available, you will be contacted by a NHL Club representative to discuss future Learn to Play program opportunities.

What is the next step after the Learn to Play Hockey program?

You will be provided with an overview of next step/transition programs by your host facility/organization prior to graduating from the Learn to Play program. Additional information will be available for families at the LTP Graduation Event.

(a) All participants must be no older than 9 years old OR younger than 5 years old by the first session, no exceptions.
(b) Children who previously have participated in a youth hockey program or association are not eligible to participate in Learn to Play. Discovery of participation will result in removal from the program without refund.

I confirm the registrant was born between and .

My child is is in good physical condition, is physically fit to participate in the Learn to Play Program and is not subject to any medical condition that poses or may pose any risk of harm or disability. I understand it is recommended that my child have ice skating experience before starting the Learn to Play program.

Gender*: Male Female

Citizenship*: USA CAN Other

Guardian 1 Information

Relationship*: Mother Father Guardian

Citizenship: USA CAN Other

Cell or Primary Phone with Area Code - e.g. 123-456-7890

Guardian 2 Information

Relationship:
Mother Father Guardian

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NHL Club Waiver

In consideration of the undersigned participant ("Participant") being provided the opportunity by
Lightning Hockey LP d/b/a the Tampa Bay Lightning and Lightning Foundation, Inc. (together,
"Sponsor") to participate in the Lightning Learn to Play program (the "Program") and the related
activities offered as a part of the Program (each, a "Related Activity") at the host facilities
(specified below, together, the "Facility"), Participants parent or legal guardian, acting in such
capacity on behalf of Participant, hereby voluntarily agrees as follows:
RELEASE FROM LIABILITY AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE. Participant hereby releases and
forever discharges Lightning Hockey LP d/b/a the Tampa Bay Lightning, Tampa Bay Arena, L.P.,
d/b/a Amalie Arena ("TBA"), Lightning Foundation, Inc., Tampa Bay Sports and Entertainment
LLC, TBSE Enterprises LLC, the City of Tampa, Hillsborough County, the Tampa Sports
Authority, NHL Enterprises, L.P., NHL Enterprises Canada, L.P., NHL Enterprises B.V., NHL
Interactive CyberEnterprises, LLC, the National Hockey League (NHL), and each of its member
clubs, the parent companies and affiliates of the foregoing, and all of their respective directors,
officers, owners, partners, employees, agents, volunteers, representatives, successors and
assigns (collectively, the "Releasees"), from, and waives with respect to each Releasee and
covenants not to sue any Releasee for, any and all liabilities, damages, and expenses (including,
but not limited to, attorneys fees) of any nature whatsoever (collectively, the "Liabilities", or
individually, a "Liability") arising in connection with Participants participation in the Program or
any Related Activity. Released liabilities shall include, without limitation, participation in any
Learn to Play event or activity, including, without limitation, participation in any hockey camp-style
drills or any game/scrimmage, participation in any street hockey event or game (including any
game played on any ground that may not be perfectly even or smooth), use of any equipment
supplied by Sponsor or one of its corporate partners (e.g., hockey equipment or any gear used in
connection with a camp or promotional training session), interaction with any Sponsor
employee/coach or clinic aide, interaction with any camp/game participants, and standing in or
near the vicinity of any Program event or any Related Activity, including any common areas at the
Facility. Such release, discharge, waiver, and covenant not to sue shall apply to any Liability
caused in whole or in part by the negligence of any Releasee in connection with such Releasees
involvement with the Program or any Related Activity.
ASSUMPTION OF RISK. Participant is aware of and understands (i) the inherent risks and
dangers of participating in the Program and the Related Activities and (ii) the potential for
injury that exists when participating in the Program and the Related Activities. Participant
agrees to assume any and all such risks, including, without limitation, the risk of personal injury,
death, or damage to or loss of property arising from, based upon, or relating to participation in the
Program and/or the Related Activities that is caused in whole or in part by the negligence and/or
omissions of any Releasee. Participant understands and agrees that, absent gross negligence on
the part of any of the Releasees, in the event of any injury to Participant, none of the Releasees
will be responsible for any decisions or expenses relating to Participants medical treatment.
RIGHT OF PUBLICITY. Participant hereby grants Sponsor, TBA, and the NHL (and any of the
foregoing entities respective affiliates, sponsors, or corporate partners) permission to use his/her
name, likeness, and identity in connection with any advertising or promotional initiatives, whether
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specifically linked to the Program or otherwise, in any medium (whether now in existence or
hereinafter devised), at any time, without compensation or notice to Participant.
NO OBLIGATION OF RELEASEES. None of the Releasees shall have, nor be deemed to have,
any obligation to Participant hereunder or otherwise in connection with the Program or any
Related Activity, unless such obligation is expressly set forth in a writing signed by an authorized
agent of the applicable Releasee.
REPRESENTATIONS. Participant acknowledges that Participant has (i) had full opportunity to
ask any questions that Participant may have regarding the Program and the Related Activities; (ii)
read and understands this Release; and (iii) been given an opportunity to review this Release
with anyone Participant chooses, including an attorney. Participant represents that Participant (i)
is in good physical condition; (ii) is, to the best of Participants knowledge, physically able to
participate in the Program and any Related Activity in which Participant will be participating and
has not been advised by any medical doctor not to so participate, and (iii) is not subject to any
medical condition that may pose any risk of harm or disability to Participant or to others.
FACILITY: The following venues shall be included in the definition of "Facility": (i) Amalie Arena;
(ii) Brandon Ice Sports Forum; (iii) Ellington Ice Rink; and (iv) Clearwater Ice Arena.
CONSTRUCTION. This Release is meant to be liberally construed to protect the Releasees to
the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.

I agree to the Terms.

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USA Hockey Waiver

Waiver of Liability, Release
Assumption of Risk & Indemnity Agreement
It is the purpose of this agreement to exempt, waive and relieve releasees from liability for personal injury, property damage, and wrongful death, including if caused by negligence, including the negligence, if any, of releasees. "Releasees" include USA Hockey, Inc.,its affiliate associations, local associations, member teams, event hosts, other participants, coaches, officials, sponsors, advertisers, and each of them, their officers, directors, agents and employees.For and in consideration of the undersigned participant's registration with USA Hockey, Inc., its affiliates, local associations and member teams (all referred to together as USAH) and being allowed to participate in USAH events and member team activities,participant(and the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) of participant, if applicable) waive, release and relinquish any and all claims for liability and cause(s) of action, including for personal injury, property damage or wrongful death occurring to participant, arising out of participation in USAH events, member team activities, the sport of ice hockey, and/or activities incidental thereto, whenever or however they occur and for such period said activities may continue, and by this agreement any such claims, rights, and causes of action that participant (and participant's parent(s) or legal guardian(s), if applicable) may have are hereby waived, released and relinquished, and participant (and parent(s)/guardian(s), if applicable) does(do) so on behalf of my/our and participant's heirs, executors, administrators and assigns.Participant (and participant's parent(s)/guardian(s), if applicable) acknowledge, understand and assume all risks relating to ice hockey and any member team activities, and understand that ice hockey and member team activities involve risks to participant's person including bodily injury, partial or total disability, paralysis and death, and damages which may arise therefrom and that I/we have full knowledge of said risks. These risks and dangers may be caused by the negligence of the participant or the negligence of others, including the "releasees" identified above. These risks and dangers include, but are not limited to, those arising from participating with bigger, faster and stronger participants, and these risks and dangers will increase if participant participates in ice hockey and member team activities in an age group above that which participant would normally participate in. I/We further acknowledge that there may be risks and dangers not known to us or not reasonably foreseeable at this time. Participant (and participant's parent(s)/guardian(s), if applicable) acknowledge, understand and agree that all of the risks and dangers described throughout this agreement, including those caused by the negligence of participant and/or others, are included within the waiver, release and relinquishment described in the preceding paragraph. I/We agree to abide by and be bound under the rules of USA Hockey, including the By-Laws of the corporation and the arbitration clause provisions, as currently published. Copies are available to USA Hockey members upon written request.
Participant (and participant's parent(s)/guardian(s), if applicable) acknowledge, understand and assume the risks, if any, arising from the conditions and use of ice hockey rinks and related premises and acknowledge and understand that included within the scope of this waiver and release is any cause of action (including any cause of action based on negligence) arising from the performance, or failure to perform, maintenance, inspection, supervision or control of said areas and for the failure to warn of dangerous conditions existing at said rinks, for negligent selection of certain releasees, or negligent supervision or instruction by releasees.As further consideration for registration and participation in USAH events and member team activities, participant (and the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) of participant, if applicable), hereby (1) consents and agrees that USAH, its licensees and designees may make video and/or audio recordings of and/or otherwise film, photograph or memorialize some or all of participant's participation in such events and activities, and (2) grants to USAH, its licensees, designees, successors and assigns, a worldwide, perpetual, irrevocable, fully-paid, royalty-free, transferable and sublicenseable right and license to use, copy and disseminate participant's image and personal attributes, and to modify and present same in any form, manner and media, now known or hereafter devised, for any purpose whatsoever.If the law in any controlling jurisdiction renders any part of this agreement unenforceable, the remainder of this agreement shall nevertheless remain enforceable to the full extent, if any, allowed by controlling law. This agreement affects your legal rights, and you may wish to consult an attorney concerning this agreement.Participant (and participant's parent(s)/guardian(s), if applicable) agree if any claim for participant's personal injury or wrongful death is commenced against releasees, he/she shall defend, indemnify and save harmless releasees from any and all claims or causes of action by whomever or wherever made or presented for participant's personal injuries, property damage or wrongful death.Participant (and participant's parent(s)/guardian(s), if applicable) acknowledge that they have been provided and have read the above paragraphs and have not relied upon any representations of releasees, that they are fully advised of the potential dangers of ice hockey and understand these waivers and releases are necessary to allow amateur ice hockey to exist in its present form. Significant exclusions may apply to USA Hockey's insurance policies, which could affect any coverage. For example, there is no liability coverage for claims of one player against another player. Read your brochure carefully and, if you have any questions, contact USA Hockey or a District Risk Manager.

I agree to the Terms.

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By initialing above and clicking “Agree & Continue", you agree that the information you provide will be shared by us with the National Hockey League, National Hockey League Players' Association, USA Hockey, Hockey Canada, and your local ice rink as necessary in order to administer your child’s participation in the program (and related hockey programs). For more information on how each of these organizations may treat this information, please review their privacy policies.

Additionally, by initialing above and clicking “Agree & Continue” a one time survey will be sent to the registered email address at the conclusion of the program. The NHL and NHLPA place a high value in creating a positive experience for you and your family. This feedback is extremely important to the success and growth of the Learn to Play Initiative.

Yes, I want NHL and Member Club news, info, and offers, which includes official Learn to Play program communications. Yes, I want offers from & news and info about NHL business partners, which includes the NHLPA and USA Hockey.

Yes, I want the NHL and its Member Clubs to send me NHL news, offers, and other info about the NHL and its Member Clubs, which includes official Learn to Play program communications. Yes, I want the NHL to send me news, offers and other info on behalf of the NHLPA, Hockey Canada and NHL’s other Business Partners, and share my information with these parties so they may send me similar messages.

NHL is seeking your consent on behalf of itself and its Member Clubs, and the NHLPA and the NHL's other Business Partners. You may withdraw your consent at any time.
NHL, 1185 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036 | NHL.com/contact

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